1959 Harley Chopper Is Going Back to Basics
Spartan Frameworks’ Bare Bones 1959 Harley Chopper Proves that Some Things Never Go Out of Style
Plenty of fashion choices have come and gone over the years. Mullets, bell-bottom jeans and shag carpet among them. But every once in a while, a style just sticks around indefinitely. Choppers are exactly that — a type of bike that will never go out of style. This 1959 Harley Chopper proves that point. We came across the sweet ride on eBay, where it was recently up for sale for $22,500.
The chopper trend itself came to fruition in the 1960s. A natural successor to the bobber, choppers are uniquely American. Plus it doesn’t hurt that most were and still are built on Harley-Davidson bikes. The styles share similarities, such as the removal of unnecessary parts. Choppers took things a bit further, however, with more extreme modifications.
This 1959 Harley Chopper is a fine example of the breed. The Spartan Deluxe 4150 chrome alloy frame features a 33-degree rake, which is common for the style. The Panhead engine is an original but was rebuilt in 1959. It’s been beefed up with Wiseco 9.1:0 pistons, a Lineweber cam, shovelhead valves, Morris Magneto and an S&S Super E carb.
The four-speed kick-start transmission also comes from 1959 and received a full rebuild. In addition, the Sportster tank adds a custom look, and a 21-inch wheel sits up front, with an 18-inch out back. Built by George Counes of Spartan Frameworks, this chopper served him faithfully for a year.
While many choppers take extreme measures in regard to steering angles and fork length, this 1959 Harley chopper is rather mild. It’s more indicative of an early chopper, simply oozing vintage cool, and that’s the type of cool that never goes out of style!
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